Key learning points

1. In order for factorising to be a valid method, the quadratic must equal zero.
2. To achieve a product of zero, one of the binomial expressions evaluate to zero.
3. Either expression could be zero so you must find the solution for each expression.
4. If the quadratic were not equal to zero, you would have uncertainty about what each expression must equal.

Keywords

• Factorise - To factorise is to express a term as the product of its factors.

• Solution (equality) - A solution to an equality with one variable is a value for the variable which, when substituted, maintains the equality between the expressions.

Common misconception